LIMA — Change was in the air in Allen County during Tuesday’s election, with several new names rising to prominence in mayoral, council and school board races and multiple levies failing to garner approval.
In the Lima City Council President race, Fifth Ward Councilor Jamie Dixon defeated First Ward Councilor Todd Gordon in a particularly close race, with Tuesday’s unofficial results showing a difference of only 15 votes between the two.
“What we showed tonight is what true democracy looks like,” Dixon told supporters in a video shared to Dixon’s Facebook page. “Tonight, Lima, you made history, because we have an African-American mayor and now we have an African-American [council] president.”
Another council president appears set to take on new responsibilities as Elida Council President Darryl Nichols defeated council member Larry Flick in the Elida mayoral race, according to Tuesday’s unofficial results. Delphos will also be getting a new mayor as Allen County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Andre McConnahea won a write-in race against Wayne Suever.
Changes are also coming to the Elida school board as current board President Brenda Stocker, Vice President Ira Collier and member Ben Troyer appear to have fallen short of retaining their seats, with Jaired Birks, Jeffrey Point and David Peters the apparent winners.
Where many of the changes could be seen the most were in levies, as several were defeated Tuesday. A 2.5-mill, 5-year levy for the Bath Fire Department was narrowly voted down by 51 votes, and Elida schools lost its second consecutive levy renewal for a 1-mill permanent improvement levy. Elida voters also rejected a 4.5-mill, 5-year levy to help fund and expand the village’s police department. Perry schools also rejected a 3.287-mill continuing levy by a 59-vote margin.
“We are saddened and disappointed that our fire levy was unsuccessful,” Bath Township Fire Chief Joe Kitchen said in a statement released on the department’s X (formerly Twitter) page. “Unfortunately, this will now force us to make some very tough decisions which may negatively affect not only our firefighters, but also our Bath community. I am heartbroken for our dedicated employees and for our entire township.”
